Anybody here do car audio installs? Or own a shop that does? let me know. Thanks

no better time to learn. Its not hard, sepoecially now with all the harnesses. Just take your time. save some money!

What are you installing?

Diy depends on what unit you are fitting.

If it's a new head unit, it's simple. I've done a bunch of stuff.

depends on the car as well and current setup.

 

the new ones are not as easy as older cars with a basic setup.

depends on the car as well and current setup.

 

the new ones are not as easy as older cars with a basic setup.

 

That's true to some extent. A lot of cars are integrating their stereos into the dashboard now, which makes changing them difficult.

Well i'm fairly sure i can do the speaker upgrades myself...but i'm looking at installing a AVIC-X920BT or possibly the AVIC-Z120BT. I just picked up a 2010 ford edge that has the basic sound system without nav but it does have microsoft sync and sat. radio. Apparently installing these nav units requires tapping into the VSS sensor so the unit knows how fast you are going as well some other sensors such as (day/night). This seems like a more complicated install than just the straight up head unit. I also need it to work with the steering wheel controls.

 

Now i dont want to mess this up so i'd prefer to have someone well versed do this or help walk me through this. Even if its just to come out and help me do it right, for some $$ or beers or ammo.

I would highly recommend AGAINST Pioneer GPS units. Their navigation sucks.

Just tap in to the vss near the computer (usually behind the glove box) I have done a couple of these. For the steering wheel controls, you will most likely need and adapter. PAC makes them, and they just plug in. Easy stuff

I would highly recommend AGAINST Pioneer GPS units. Their navigation sucks.

 

what do you recommend then? Ps. im really not doing this for the navigation fuction, it is a bonus...but the pioneer units seem to have alot of cool functions/features such as pandora radio.

lol... wtf... whatever happened to 12V, ground, remote, 4x speakers and/or some RCA line outs? effin VSS, nav, ms whatever... get the damn base model if you wanna gut it! HA!

Pioneer Touchscreens suck (unless they've gotten better in the past year that I stopped following). The audio quality is horrible, as well as the radio reception and navigation.

 

I have a Kenwood Excelon DDX8017 w/ a Kenwood KNA-G510 navi unit myself, but this is an old discontinued model. The sound quality is great. Doesn't require a VSS tap. Why a GPS would need a VSS tap to tell speed is beyond me anyway - Mine tells me the speed without it.

lol i basically did get the base model. The chrome wheel package gave me the slightly better audio with 6 disc changer and sync. I figured i'd save the 2k for the factory NAV and go after market. I'll install new speakers myself but i dont want to EF with the nav part. Plus i dont even know how to take the dash apart and i cant find it on you tube. lol

Kenwood DNX6160 has navi integrated.... looks good to me

http://www.crutchfield.com/s_113DNX6160 ... l?tp=20222

Pioneer Touchscreens suck (unless they've gotten better in the past year that I stopped following). The audio quality is horrible, as well as the radio reception and navigation.

 

I have a Kenwood Excelon DDX8017 w/ a Kenwood KNA-G510 navi unit myself, but this is an old discontinued model. The sound quality is great. Doesn't require a VSS tap. Why a GPS would need a VSS tap to tell speed is beyond me anyway - Mine tells me the speed without it.

 

 

When i installed my eclipse in our Sienna (i have kids lol), it was my understanding that the vss just kept you in the right position based on speed when you were going through a tunnel or something. I thought the speed worked without it.

Ahh that's probably true. I guess that's for when you lose signal. Mine picks signal right up again without much issue.. If I go through a tunnel it keeps the same speed as when I lose the signal.

And dont forget to tap into your ebrake wire so you can watch movies while driving. Just kidding, i do not condone this :mrgreen:

Pioneer Touchscreens suck (unless they've gotten better in the past year that I stopped following). The audio quality is horrible, as well as the radio reception and navigation.

 

I have a Kenwood Excelon DDX8017 w/ a Kenwood KNA-G510 navi unit myself, but this is an old discontinued model. The sound quality is great. Doesn't require a VSS tap. Why a GPS would need a VSS tap to tell speed is beyond me anyway - Mine tells me the speed without it.

 

 

All the new nav units want vss tap... its not necessary to do it but for more accurate nav it is recommended. For instance when you are in a tunnel or mountains or any other area that has spotty gps reception the nav can better estimate your location based on speed.

I'm working on slightly older knowledge then. Good to know. Tapping VSS isn't that bad though. Taking apart your dash is going to be tougher, unless it's built like legos like my Scion is.

I'm working on slightly older knowledge then. Good to know. Tapping VSS isn't that bad though. Taking apart your dash is going to be tougher, unless it's built like legos like my Scion is.

 

 

It should be. Most new cars, you just need to un sanp the molding around the existing stereo.

i forgot it s a ford. Should be just two keys you can get from most stereo places, or ford dealer that you stick in both sides of the stock radio, it releases, and you pull it out

I dont believe it works that way on this model. I saw some pics of people having to take the dash apart and unscrewing the unit in order to remove it.

Found this topic - looks relevant!

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/index.php? ... d&pid=5016

I dont believe it works that way on this model. I saw some pics of people having to take the dash apart and unscrewing the unit in order to remove it.

 

yup.

 

see this thread

 

 

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/index.php? ... y-install/

 

 

 

still not bad.

cool thanks...im going to order a master sheet from crutchfield for my car just to make sure i have step by step instructions. I dont want to F up my functionality in anyway.

you will be fine. Also get plastic removal tools. Audio shop or crutch field should have them. this way you dont knick your interior. good luck

I have the Kenwood DNX-8120 ,Garmin,HD radio,Bluetooth,DVD ect ect.

Local audio shop is far cheaper than crutchfield.

Your going to need a few extras to wire up a head unit other than a ford one.

I have the pioneer avic z1000 in my wifes truck and it has been very good about 5 years old now..did the xm radio and vav traffic with it..